Customer:

Sheffield City Council, with University of Sheffield being a majority funder of the scheme.

Challenge:

To create new and improved public realm and landscaped spaces, improved accessibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists and to optimise traffic flows in the city.

Solution:

To develop the design, we held regular meetings with the client and key stakeholders. Consideration of future developments to buildings adjacent to the scheme (Hounsfield Quarter and Arts Tower), were also factored into the design. We also engaged with the client to discuss value engineering options – efficiencies included:

• Reducing pavement thicknesses by using alternative foundations to reduce excavation required
• Adjusting levels to overlay rather than replace
• Alternative designs for retaining walls to improve buildability
• Alternative designs for pedestrian crossings in flexible surfacing to improve durability and buildability
• Rationalisation of kerb granite radii for ease of procurement and to reduce costs

Delivery of the works was carefully planned and phased to keep the impact on university operations to a minimum.  Works delivered included:

• Reconfiguration of road layouts, carriageway widening and realignment, removal of vehicle accesses and S278 works
• Repaving of carriageways to create shared pathways
• Creation of public realm areas
• Construction of new pedestrian and cyclist crossings
• Installation of public art and street furniture
• Works to facilitate a new bus route, including traffic signal changes, high friction surfacing, road markings and new bus stops

Results:

The project has created a high-quality attractive environment for university students and staff and the wider community to enjoy. Connectivity of pedestrian and cyclist routes have been enhanced across the university campus and into Sheffield city centre, enabling better links with local communities and the city.